Countries Permitting Dual Nationality in 2025
In today's interconnected world, the concept of nationality has evolved, and many countries now allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship. Let's explore some of the nations that permit dual citizenship, as well as those that remain strict in their policies.
Starting in Europe, Poland does not forbid its citizens from holding dual citizenship, although the country does not recognise it either. Armenia, on the other hand, permits dual citizenship, with its nationality law adopted in 1995 and amended in 2007. Moving west, Spain allows dual citizenship and denounced a Council of Europe proposal that aimed to reduce cases of multiple nationalities. Sweden abandoned its policy of prohibiting dual nationalities in 2001, and Denmark followed suit in 2015.
Moving south, Cyprus allows you to maintain additional citizenships, considering that Cyprus used to offer its own economic citizenship program. Israel considers anyone with Israeli bloodlines an Israeli citizen, even before you apply to claim an ancestral passport, and allows its citizens to maintain dual nationality. Greece allows its citizens to maintain dual citizenship unless they request to renounce their Greek citizenship.
In the Americas, Costa Rica is one of the hardest countries in which to become naturalised, but all Costa Rican citizens may maintain other nationalities without issue. Bolivia permits dual citizenship, and Bolivians who acquire other citizenships are not required to renounce it. Argentina allows dual citizenship with any nationality, but dual citizens are only recognized as Argentinians while they are in Argentina.
In the Caribbean, Grenada recognises dual citizenship, which means that the investors flocking in for the Grenada citizenship by investment program don't have to renounce their original citizenship. St Lucia recognises dual citizenship and has one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs in the world. Antigua and Barbuda permits dual citizenship, and the citizenship application can be processed within three to four months without requiring travel to the country.
Across the Atlantic, the United States allows dual citizenship in almost all circumstances, but taking up a foreign citizenship with the 'intention' of relinquishing your US citizenship can cause you to lose US citizenship. Canada allows its citizens to utilise their status of dual nationality and seems to encourage it.
Moving towards Asia, Panama allows dual citizenship, and a second residence (and an eventual second passport) in Panama can be obtained rather easily by citizens of any of 50 'friendly nations'. The United Arab Emirates now recognises dual citizenship under its new citizenship law. Indonesia allows Indonesians under 18 to hold dual citizenship as of 2020, but there is no law yet that allows citizens to hold multiple nationalities.
In Africa, Tanzania has officially approved dual citizenship, and Zambia allows dual citizenship since 2016, with Zambian citizens, by birth, not losing their citizenship by acquiring that of another country. Liberia now allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship freely. Nigeria allows its citizens to have more than one citizenship, despite some limited public pressure against the practice in the African country.
Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey allow multiple nationalities, but they may require additional documentation or government approval during the process. Egypt allows its citizens to obtain multiple nationalities, but they must notify the 'proper' Egyptian authorities first.
Finally, some countries, such as Andorra, Bahrain, China, Estonia, India, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Montenegro, Singapore, Ukraine, and South Korea, do not allow dual citizenship. South Korea allows those who became dual nationals at birth to retain both passports if they declared their intention to remain South Korean by age 22, but it does not allow South Koreans to obtain other citizenships as adults.
This guide provides a brief overview of the dual citizenship policies in various countries around the world. It's essential to research the specific requirements and regulations of each country before making any decisions about acquiring dual citizenship.
